Description of Lares Valley Trek to Machu Picchu

The Lares Valley Trek to Machu Picchu allows us to walk through Andean scenery that speaks to us with their calm silence and allows us to meet the intact culture of the Andean region. If you prefer to enjoy nature and have contact with local people, this is an interesting trekking alternative. During the trek, we will see stunning lagoons, and we will greet the local people and children who come out to greet us. We will be surprised by the cultural manifestations visiting beautiful towns and from the highest point at more than 4450 meters above sea level, we will have dazzling views over the Andes. We will arrive at Machu Picchu town one day before our visit to Machu Picchu, the Inca citadel that astounds more and more, every day.

Tour details

  • Tour Type: Trekking, Culture, and Adventure
  • Starting Point: Cusco
  • Ending Point: Cusco
  • Places to Visit: Huacawasi, Sondor, Miski Unu, Ollantaytambo, and Machu Picchu
  • Maximum Altitude: 4,700 m (15,419 ft)
  • Best Time to Travel: May - October
  • Difficulty Level: Moderate to High
  • Guide: Bilingual (English, Spanish)
  • Group Size: Up to 12 people
  • Daily Departures

Itinerary

DAY 1: Huacawasi – Sondor – Quebrada de Sacsayllame – Aruray Cocha – Yurak Cocha – Miski Unu

Around 6 in the morning, we will pick you up at your hotel to head to the town of Lares, where we will begin our walk. During the trip, we will make a stop in the town of Calca, where you can visit the local market and buy breakfast or other supplies you need. Your guide will advise you to buy bread to give to the children we will meet during our walk. Upon arriving in Lares, we will visit the hot springs, where you can enjoy the hot water while our cooks prepare a delicious lunch. After lunch, we will begin our hike towards our first camp at Huacawasi (3600 m / 11811 ft). For 3 hours we will walk gradually uphill, which will prepare you for the next day when we reach the highest point of this hike. We will spend the first night in the house of our riders, who will accompany us on this trip. It is a great opportunity to get to know this small town and its Andean culture better. Upon arrival, our tents will be ready and we will be offered popcorn, sweets and hot tea before dinner.

You can rest in one of the typical houses.

Transportation time: 4 Hrs

Walking Time: 4 Hrs

Weather during the day: Warm

Overnight: Camp in Huacawasi

Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

DAY 2: Huacawasi – Sondor – Quebrada de Sacsayllame – Aruray Cocha – Yurak Cocha – Miski Unu

Early in the morning we will be greeted by local children dressed in traditional costumes on their way to school. After a nutritious breakfast we will begin our hike towards the highest point, the Sacsayllame Gorge at 4400m or 14435 feet above sea level. The hike will take 4 hours and will be quite steep. An emergency horse will accompany us so we can all reach the top. During this walk you will be able to glimpse the enormous mountains, a mosaic of farmland and magnificent landscapes. We will reach high altitudes where it will be very cold. After reaching the highest point, we will descend and reach a beautiful lagoon before having lunch next to the river. You can rest while our cooks prepare a delicious lunch. After lunch, we will descend through a forest where we can glimpse the “Queuñas” (Polylepis), a typical Peruvian tree. This hike will last 1 hour before reaching our camp at Miski Unu (3550m/11646f). A wonderful place in the middle of nature where you will have hot tea and a snack upon arrival, before dinner.

Walking time: 7 hours

Weather during the day/night: Cold

Overnight: Camp in Miski Unu 

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 3: Miski Unu – Queshuarchalloc – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes

Today will be another spectacular day as we descend through different forests. You will be able to enjoy the rich biodiversity and the changing fauna and flora during this 3-hour walk that will end in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Be aware of the large number of mosquitoes in the forest. We will enjoy our last lunch in Queshuarchalloc where we will say goodbye to our knights and cooks. After lunch we will take a local bus to Ollantaytambo. We will visit this beautiful Inca settlement before having dinner at a local restaurant. At 7pm we will take the train to Aguas Calientes where we will spend the night in a hostel or hotel.

Walking time: 4 hours

Transportation time: Half an hour

Climate: Hot

Overnight: Hotel in Aguas Calientes.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch.

DAY 4: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cusco

We will leave the hotel after breakfast at 5:30 am towards Machu Picchu (2400m/7874f) on a tourist bus. We will arrive at the citadel around 6:00 am. After a guided tour of the citadel, including information about the life and culture of the Incas, we will leave Aguas Calientes by train at 2:55 pm or 6:10 pm. Meanwhile you can have lunch in one of the pleasant restaurants. Additionally, you can visit the hot springs in Aguas Calientes to relax for a while.

Overnight: Hotel in Cusco (own expense)

Meals included: Breakfast

What's Included

  • Transportation from the hotel to Vale de Lares
  • Tourist train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
  • Tourist train from Aguas Calientes to Cusco or from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and bus to Cusco
  • Entrance to the thermal baths of Vale de Lares
  • Entrance to the sanctuary of Machu Picchu
  • Hotel with room and private bathroom in Aguas Calientes
  • Hotel with private room and bathroom in Aguas Calientes;
  • Professional bilingual guide (Spanish and English)
  • High-quality camping equipment (professional tents, Cima 4, extra light 4.5kg for 2
  • People. Mattresses, dining tent with table and chairs, bathroom tent)
  • Food during the tour (breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. Vegetarian option)
  • Kitchen and cooking equipment
  • Rider and mules to transport all personal and camping equipment (up to 7 kg)
  • Bus from Machu Picchu to Águas – Machu Picchu
  • Emergency horse (minimum 2 people)
  • First aid kit and oxygen bottle

What's Not Included

  • Breakfast on the first day and the last lunch in Aguas Calientes
  • Sleeping bag (if you don't have a sleeping bag, you can rent one); USD 25.00 dollars per person
  • Walking poles USD 10.00 per person
  • Tips
  • Visit to the hot springs of Aguas Calientes: you can relax while waiting for the train back to Cusco. The Thermal Baths are located 10 minutes walk from the town and the entrance fee is S/20.00.
  • Airplane ticket
  • Safe journey
  • Food and drink not mentioned in the program.

Optional Services

  • Entrance to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain: USD 80.00 per person (must be reserved well in advance)
  • VISADOME/360° PANORAMIC Return Train Service with panoramic view, typical dance show (Águas Calientes – Ollantaytambo) – Upgrade Service: USD 65.00 per person

What to Take

  • Original passport or DNI (the same document with which you made the reservation, taking into account the validity of the documents, being the passport with a minimum validity of 6 months or the DNI with an issue date of less than 10 years)
  • Sunscreen
  • Repellent
  • Sunglasses
  • Clothing for hot and cold climates.
  • Warm jacket or coat
  • Wool cap
  • Cap or sun hat
  • Layer of rain
  • Rain gear or poncho
  • Long-sleeved shirts, (due to there being mosquitos in Machu Picchu)
  • Light pants
  • Bermuda Islands
  • Trekking shoes
  • Personal medications (for headaches, anti-inflammatory´s etc).
  • Emergency money (preferably in Novo Sol)
  • A light backpack
  • Mineral water bottle
  • Snacks, chocolates, cereal bars.
  • Personal hygiene products

Prices

Service Travelers Prices (2023)
Group  price per person US$
590.00

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